Theory Testing and a Question: Is State Formation a Product of Rational Choice or Symbolic Structure?

In the opening chapters of this book, we critiqued prevailing theories of sociocultural evolution and proposed that an approach based on the rational choice theory of collective action might lead to a productive rethinking of political evolution. To explore that possibility, we operationalized collective action theory in a manner that allows for theory testing using a method of cross-cultural analysis, then we assembled the necessary data. Now we are prepared to evaluate collective action ideas. Beyond that important goal, in this and the final chapters we also pursue some additional lines of inquiry and analysis that go beyond the theory as it is presently stated. We hope these new directions will enrich the theory and point to new directions for future research.

Keywords

Public Good Collective Action Theory Test Collective State Ming Dynasty

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(2008) Theory Testing and a Question: Is State Formation a Product of Rational Choice or Symbolic Structure?. In: Collective Action in the Formation of Pre-Modern States. Fundamental Issues in Archaeology. Springer, New York, NY